Senior Manager Ground Operations Safety

Building on more than 100 years of history and experience, QantasLink is a consolidated network of regional airlines that connects passengers and communities across Australia. QantasLink is made up of four subsidiary organisations – Eastern Airlines, Sunstate Airlines, National Jet Systems and Network Aviation. Operating as an end-to-end airline, QantasLink harnesses the strength of its regional partnerships and a strong sense of family, to provide meaningful career paths for its more than 2,500 people with opportunities that might take you to exciting destinations across QantasLink or the Qantas Group.

• Lead safety strategy and SMS governance across QantasLink Airports and Ground Operations, ensuring effective risk management and regulatory compliance.
• Drive safety performance, assurance and continuous improvement across airport, engineering, ground handling and contracted operations.
• Permanent position based at our Mascot Campus

As part of the Qantas Group, QantasLink proudly connects communities across Australia, guided by values that ensure every journey reflects the quality and spirit of the iconic Red Roo. Whether representing us onboard our brand‑new Airbus A220s or operating as part of a skilled two‑person crew on our Dash‑8 fleet, our Cabin Crew deliver exceptional service, uphold the highest safety standards, and create memorable experiences for customers travelling across regional and metropolitan Australia. In this role, you’ll play a vital part in linking people, families and industries across the country, bringing professionalism, care and confidence to every flight while contributing to the essential network that keeps Australia moving. 

The Senior Manager, Ground Operations Safety provides strategic leadership and end‑to‑end oversight of the Safety Management System (SMS) across QantasLink Airports, Ground Operations and Engineering support services, including QGS, NTS and contracted airport providers, operating within a high‑risk aviation environment. The Senior Manager, Ground Operations Safety is accountable for integrating People and Operational Safety, and ensuring that hazards associated with airside, ramp, engineering and contractor interfaces are systematically identified, assessed, controlled and assured in line with CASA/ICAO and Group SMS requirements. This role oversights and drives safety strategy aligned to the overarching QantasLink and Business Unit Strategies, with a strong focus on safety governance, risk and change management, and critical control effectiveness.

The Senior Manager, Ground Operations Safety maintains oversight of safety performance, compliance, emerging risks, and SMS effectiveness across Airport Operations, Catering Services, Ground Handling, Ground Service Providers (GSPs), and ACMI operations. It ensures compliance with CASA regulations, WHS legislation, and internal SMS requirements, while strengthening

proactive safety culture, continuous improvement, and operational resilience. This includes alignment to industry standards such as IOSA and ISAGO.

Reporting directly into the Head of Safety, People & Ground Operations, with a matrix relationship to Regionals Contracts and Commercials, the role acts as the central integrator of SMS strategy across business units, safety professionals, Group Safety and Business Resilience, embedding enterprise safety and resilience expectations into regional airline airport and ground operations.

You’ll have –

• 8 Years+ in Airport Operations including 5 Years+ in Safety, Risk or Change Management or
• Equivalent High-Risk Organisation (HRO) such as Oil and Gas or Mining.
• Tertiary Qualification- Degree with a Business and/or Safety focus.
• Demonstrated experience with operating and managing business in complex large matrixed organisations.
• Proven leadership and communication skills, with the ability to effectively motivate and engage a diverse range of people through communication and leadership.
• A collaborative and responsive leadership style, taking ownership of, and personal accountability for, decisions and actions.
• Proven influencing skills, with the ability to quickly form effective working relationships with key internal and external stakeholders.
• Preference of In-depth and comprehensive knowledge of the Qantas Group’s operations.
• High level of attention to detail.
• Proven ability to manage and prioritise diverse business objectives.
• An innovative and lateral thinker with a proactive approach, able to analyse critically, resolve complex issues and find creative solutions.
• Detailed knowledge of compliance, governance and regulatory frameworks.
• Commitment and passion to change and continuous improvement.

Why Qantas?  

You’ll join a team where creativity and passion are encouraged. Our people come together to allow us to dream big and deliver successfully. 

There are many different opportunities across our team, which means you’ll be able to grow both personally and professionally at Qantas. Your development is a priority for us – so that you can maintain the high standards our customers have come to expect and can continue to develop over time. You’ll be supported from day 1 with on the job training and coaching as well as our formal training opportunities. While you may start in this role, we’ve got a great track record of supporting our people to take their career in so many different directions, the destinations are endless.  

The Qantas employee benefits program offers amazing benefits that extend well beyond travel.  

• We love to travel: Enjoy heavily discounted air travel within Australia and across the globe, both for you and your family and friends, as well as exclusive deals on accommodation and holidays. 
• We have flexible leave options: Make use of leave and flexible working opportunities including 18 weeks paid parental leave (plus superannuation payments on all paid and unpaid parental leave until your child turns 1) and additional purchased leave options for eligible employees. 
• We’ll give you access to thousands of rewards: Through our partnerships we can offer you discounts across shopping, food and wine, insurance, health and wellbeing, leisure and entertainment. You can also take advantage of our salary packaging program including motor vehicles, eligible portable electronic devices and professional memberships. 
• We’ll support your wellbeing: Whether it’s learning to better support your own and others’ mental health, our interactive wellbeing app or your very own tailored nutrition plan. 

Qantas is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion.  We encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, and people of all backgrounds to apply.  If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at time of application.  Your personal information will be kept confidential in compliance with relevant privacy legislation. 

Be a part of something special and play your part in the Qantas story – get in touch today. 

Applications close: Wednesday 29th July 2026

Please note: applications will only be considered for candidates who have the right to work in Australia / New Zealand without restriction or sponsorship.